Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Saima Wazed Resigns as WHO Southeast Asia Chief Amid Allegations
Saima Wazed was a senior World Health Organization official for Southeast Asia.
She is also the daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Wazed resigned while investigations into her were still underway.
The allegations involved a travel reimbursement, her academic qualifications and a plot of land in Bangladesh.
Wazed said she did nothing wrong.
She said the travel problem was a paperwork mistake by an assistant and that her doctorate was honorary.
She also said she legally obtained the land before joining the WHO.
Wazed said she had not been paid for almost a year and no longer trusted WHO leadership.
The WHO did not publicly discuss the details, citing confidentiality.
Saima Wazed resigned as the World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia regional director on Wednesday, according to her resignation letter.
The WHO and Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission investigated allegations involving travel-related financial fraud, academic credentials and land acquisition.
Wazed was placed on leave in July 2025 after Bangladesh filed fraud and forgery charges against her in March 2025, and later went on unpaid administrative leave.
Wazed denied wrongdoing, saying the $901 China travel issue was an assistant’s administrative error, her doctorate was honorary and the land acquisition was lawful.
She said she resigned after nearly a year without pay, being prevented from performing her duties and losing confidence in WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
- Who
- Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia regional director and daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- What
- Wazed resigned amid WHO and Bangladeshi investigations into alleged travel-related financial fraud, academic misrepresentation and illegal land acquisition.
- When
- Wednesday, September 9, 2026; she had taken office in early 2024 and was first placed on leave in July 2025.
- Where
- The position covers the WHO Southeast Asia region; the allegations concern travel to China and land in Bangladesh.
- Why
- Wazed cited nearly a year without pay, restrictions on her duties, financial hardship and lost confidence in WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Investigators’ Allegations
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Travel reimbursement
Investigators’ Allegations
The WHO accused Wazed of financial fraud connected to travel to China; Bangladesh also filed fraud and forgery charges against her.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said the $901 issue resulted from an assistant’s administrative error while processing routine reimbursement requests.
Academic credentials
Investigators’ Allegations
The WHO alleged that Wazed misrepresented her academic credentials.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said she holds an honorary doctorate for her work on autism in Bangladesh and had disclosed the qualification to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Land acquisition
Investigators’ Allegations
The WHO alleged that Wazed illegally acquired a plot of land in Bangladesh.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said she acquired the land before joining the WHO and was entitled to it under Bangladeshi law covering the family of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Reason for departure
Investigators’ Allegations
Sources said the WHO was preparing to formally remove Wazed from the position.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said she resigned because she was prevented from carrying out her duties, had gone nearly a year without pay and had lost confidence in WHO leadership.
- Position
- WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia
- Term
- Five-year term beginning in early 2024
- Leave
- First placed on leave in July 2025 and later put on unpaid administrative leave
- Investigators
- The World Health Organization and Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission
- Allegations
- Travel-related financial fraud, misrepresented academic credentials and illegal land acquisition
- Travel issue
- A $901 reimbursement matter connected to travel to China
- Potential succession
- Sources said nominations could be announced October 12, applications vetted in December and an election held January 24
Sources
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